Visual indicator for key-operated switches.



J J. WESLEY. ,VISUAL INDICATOR FOR KEY OPERATED SWITCHES. APPLICATION IILEDJUHB 9, 1909.

' 7. 490 Patented Nov. 15,1910.

55 r is a view of the operating key.

diai i gamer onion JOSEPH J. WESLEY, OF HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY.

VISUAL INDICATOR FOR KEY-OPERATED SWITCHES.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Nov. 15, ifiifl.

Application filed June 9, 1909. Serial No. 501,130.

I .To all whom it may concern/i the key actuated type, where the switch element or elements are moved to their alternate positions of throw by the insertion of a special instrument analogous to a key through an appropriate opening or openings of the switch casing. A type of mechanism in common use for securing the foregoing purposes employs an ordinary snap or wall switch movement, but in place of two actuating buttons, has a pair of interior stems or tappets which are not exposed or even visible from outside 'the switch casing, but which are pressed inward by a corrugated key inserted through one or another of two correspondingly corrugated openings at the locations usually occupied by the switch buttons. It is evident, in such a mechanism, that unless the operator is already acquainted with the position of the switch elements that itis' a matter of trial or experiment to find into which of the two openings the key should be inserted to produce an' actuation, and not until this has been done is it certainly known what circuit conditions have been established by the switch, assuming of .course that the switch controlled lamps or other apparatus are not located in the immediate vicinity tosupply an indication. It is the pur. ose of my invention to over come this di culty, and with this object in view I have provided a visual signal or indicator which shows at once the positions of the switch elements without necessitating thetrial and experiment methods above referred to.

My invention consists in the features of construction and combination as hereinafter set forth and claimed In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a wall switch embodying the principles of my invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view, the switch elements being moved to their alternate positions of throw; 3 is a transverse sectional view; Fig. 4 is a plan View with the cover plate removed, and Fig.

Referring to the drawings, 1 denotes the box or casing of the switch, and 2 denotes broadly the movement or mechanism by which the switch elements are impelled to their alternate positions, of throw in the abrupt positive manner required in this class of apparatus. 'Any suitable or desired movement or mechanism may be employed to actuate the switch elements, these features not forming any particular part of the present invention. It is merely essential that there be a rocker or similar part 3 oscillating to and fro on an appropriate axis of the switch casing. I provide stems 4 pivoted to the rocker 3, and which are formed of cor rugated sheet metal having somewhat the same outline as is usual in paracentric locks. These stems 4 are located in tubular guides 5 in which they move in and out in somewhat the manner of the buttons sometimes employed in switches of this class. The length and outward movement of the stems 4: is, however, only suiiicient to project the tips 6 of their extremities beyond the plane of face 7 of the front plate 8 of the switch. From this position the stems move inward as far as is necessary to complete the requisite throw of the rocker 3. At their extremities the stems a pass through disks or plates 9 having corrugated apertures 10 of a form correspondin to the form of the stems 4. 11 denotes a, ey of similar transverse section adapted to be inserted through the apertures 10 to engage and depress the stems 4. I make the exposed extremities of the stems V-shaped as clearly shown in Fig. 3,

the key 11 having a dovetailed extremity of reversely corresponding outline. The purpose of this formation of the stems is to prevent persons from o crating the switch by inserting a wire in p ace of the key, it being evident that a .wire would slide down the inclines and becomes wedged at the corners rather than produce a roper actuation.

The foregoing comp etcs the invention in all essential respects. Thekey 11 when properly inserted, depresses the projecting stem 4 and throws the switch to its alternate position. On account of the fact that the stems 4 are ivoted to the rocker and have a length and tlirow sufioient to project their extremities into visiblerelation on the face 7, a constant indication is given to the operator of the position'of the switch. F or convenience one of the disks 3 is shaded or darkened, it being understood that-th exposure of the stem 4 Within this darkened disk denotes the ofi? condition of the switch and conversely. I desire to have it particularly made clear that I re ard the invention completein its characterlstics as thusfar described, serving as it does all of the purposes and functions related at the early portion ofthe description. However, I have provided an alternative construction or modification,

' which if desired, may be merely, added to the foregoing and provide an indication'in addltion thereto. Inthls modified construct1on, however, it 1s of course not necessary to ,shade the disk 9 or even to have the stem 4 which is large enough to permit a-limited angular movement of the shutter between the dotted and full line positions shown.

18 denotes an aperture in the cover plate 8, and the shutter is inscribed with the words On and Off in positions adapted t6 be exhibited through this aperture-at the respective extreme positions of said shutter. The shutter is displaced to and fro by the action of the stems t, for which purpose it is'impelled against one of the stems jbya spring 19. It is clear that when the stem against which the shutter rests is depressed, the shutter is free to move into its dotted line position under the action of its spring.

' Conversely when this stem is again pro ected,

' the shutter is pushed back by the engage ment of the beveled extremity of said, stem, which acts as a cam orwedge,

What I claim, is

1. A -wall switch having an actuating rocker and longitudinally corrugated stems pivotally connected thereto and protruding through corrugated apertures to points where they are just visible at the face of the switch when fully projected, and a corrugated key cooperating therewith.

2. A wallswitch having a rocker, stemsconnected thereto, and a pivoted shutter engaged by one of said stems and adapted to be displaced by the movement thereof, said shutter being exposed from the exterior of the switch.

3. A wall switch having a rocker, stems connected thereto, a pivoted shutter engaged by one of said stems and displaced thereby part-s, said shutter being exposed from the exterior of the switch.

In wltness whereof, I subscribe my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH J. WESLEY.

Witnesses:

WALDO M. CHAPIN, WILLIAM C. LAnY.

'to alternate'positions of throw, and a face plate or cover having an aperture through 

